Warren Sapp – recently retired American football player and Superbowl Champion

Lance Bass – former ‘N SYNC member

Brooke Burke – actress and TV presenter

Rocco Dispirito – celebrity chef ,

Kim Kardashian – actress, model and reality TV star

Ted McGinley* – actor, and…

Jeffrey Ross – comedian

When I first saw ‘Dancing,’ my first reaction was, “Love Boat!!”

The purpose Love Boat served in the 70s and 80s is what Dancing with Stars is doing in the 00s. A venue where (great / once great / want to be great) actors could show themselves in a different context.

Love Boat was Cruising With The Stars!

Heck, famous TV moms Emily Hayward (Mrs. Cunningham on Happy Days) and Florence Henderson (Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch) appeared on Love Boat in at least 9 different episodes.

Love Boat promised something for everyone. Passengers could set a course for adventure or their mind on a new romance. In fact, the Love Boat promised love wouldn’t hurt anymore… love was an open smile… on a friendly shore.

Dancing With The Stars is a mash-up in a time of of mash-ups. We’ve taken the Love Boat star platform + ballroom dancing + reality TV (a bit of American Idol and a bit of Survivor). And, as a bonus, a show that – heaven forbid there is a writer’s strike – won’t be affected.

Speaking of the 70s and 80s… Dancing With The Stars is ABC’s most watched Thursday 8 pm series since Mork & Mindy in 1979. Shazbot!